The Indian women's cricket team showcased an exceptional performance, triumphing over England by a whopping 347 runs in a thrilling one-off Test match held in Navi Mumbai. Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the team exhibited unparalleled dominance, securing the most significant victory in Women's Test history in terms of runs. Among the standout performances, Deepti Sharma emerged as a true all-rounder, contributing significantly to India's resounding win.
Game Overview:
India set a formidable tone by posting a colossal score of 428 runs in their first innings. Debutant Satheesh (69), Jemimah Rodrigues (68), Yastika Bhatia (66), and Deepti Sharma (67) played stellar innings, each marking their presence with crucial half-centuries. In response, England struggled, collapsing at 136 runs, majorly due to Deepti's exceptional five-wicket haul. India declared their second innings at 186/6, with Harmanpreet Kaur contributing 44 runs. Facing a daunting target of 479 runs, England faltered, managing only 131 runs in their pursuit.
Record-Breaking Triumph:
India's victory margin of 347 runs set a new record in Women's Test history, surpassing Sri Lanka's 1998 Colombo Test win over Pakistan by 309 runs. Remarkably, no other team had previously secured a victory margin of over 200 runs in this format.
Milestones in Team Performance:
India's score of 428 in their first innings stands as their second-highest total in Women's Tests. Their highest total of 467 runs was also against England, dating back to August 2002 in Taunton. Notably, this match marked India's fifth instance of breaching the 400-run mark in Women's Tests and their highest team total in a Women's Test match at home.
Impressive Individual Performances:
- Debutant Satheesh's remarkable 69 off 76 balls earned her the distinction of recording the second-fastest half-century by an Indian woman in Test cricket, achieved in just 49 balls.
- Jemimah Rodrigues, also debuting in Tests, showcased her skill by scoring a brilliant 68 runs off 99 balls, including 11 boundaries, securing her maiden fifty in Test cricket. She further contributed with a quick 27 runs off 29 balls in her second innings.
- Yastika Bhatia, in her second Test appearance, notched her maiden fifty in the format, smashing 66 runs off 88 balls in India's first innings.
Noteworthy Contributions from England:
Natalie Sciver-Brunt stood out amidst England's struggle, scoring a valiant 59 off 70 balls in their first innings. However, she faced disappointment with a golden duck in the second innings. With this performance, she has amassed 649 runs in 10 Tests at an average of 43.26, including four fifties and a century.
Exceptional Bowling Feats:
- England's off-spinner Charlotte Dean delivered a career-best performance in Tests, clinching impressive figures of 4/63 in the second innings, securing her maiden four-wicket haul in this format.
- Deepti Sharma's stellar bowling showcased her prowess, claiming figures of 5/7 and 4/32 in England's first and second innings, respectively. Her match haul of 9/39 stands as the second-best figures by an Indian against England in Women's Tests.
Deepti Sharma's All-Round Brilliance:
Not only did Deepti excel with the ball, but she also shone with the bat, scoring a remarkable 67 off 113 balls in India's first innings. With this feat, she became the second Indian woman to achieve the milestone of scoring a fifty and taking five wickets in a Women's Test.
India's victory, marked by exceptional team performances and individual brilliance, signifies a historic moment in Women's Test cricket, underlining the team's prowess and depth of talent.
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